The Price of Coolant

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kschachn

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OK so why is coolant so expensive? BMW blue and Toyota red (both concentrate) are around $25/gal in my area. Some dealerships try and gouge you for more. Zerex Asian is like unobtanium, but when you can get Napa to special order it the cost is even more per gallon due to it being a pre-mix. Beck Arnley coolant, supposing you could find it (Amazon has it) is even more. Honda Type 2 is around $16 a gallon for pre-mix.

Do I really have to move to the Dark Side and start using the often-mentioned Peak Global at Walgreens? Really, do I?
 
$25/gallon is cheap, you should see what the Euro stuff costs.

Motul Inugel concentrate (there are several varieties) is relatively cheap. That's what I went for.
 
I have used peak long life (green) in my Honda with no issues, the price for dealership premix is just dumb, and Zerex Asian is expensive. The last thing I will have an issue with on my Honda is the coolant system itself, at most the water pump/thermostat will fail..
 
I recently had to put new head gaskets in my 4Runner. On one trip to the dealer for some parts, I asked the parts guy to add some Toyota super long life coolant to the order. The guy said no charge and gave me two gallons of it for free. I only spent $60 in parts that day and he gave me about $40 worth of free coolant. Was a good day!
smile.gif
 
Too many different coolants needed nowadays.I bet if there were only 2 or 3,it would drive costs down.But due to every vehicle needing a special coolant,trans fluid,PS fluid...etc,it only makes it more pricey,and some gouging can occur.Chrysler/Mopar coolant is around $24 now too.Shame Wal Mart doesnt sell Zerex Global.
 
Originally Posted By: kschachn
OK so why is coolant so expensive? BMW blue and Toyota red (both concentrate) are around $25/gal in my area. Some dealerships try and gouge you for more. Zerex Asian is like unobtanium, but when you can get Napa to special order it the cost is even more per gallon due to it being a pre-mix.


Try this link

http://www.amazon.com/Zerex-675130-Vehic...6527&sr=1-1

Easy to obtain but still a bit pricy
 
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I'll probably take incoming rocket fire and collateral damage for saying this, but,... the big jug of "All makes, all models, mixes with all colors" stuff down at your local chain auto parts store has to mean something. If the stuff didn't work, they'd be on the hook for millions in damages. So that's what use.

Yeah, your owner's manual might say something different. But that's a point in time... it's valid for the products that were available at that time.
 
Originally Posted By: crw
I'll probably take incoming rocket fire and collateral damage for saying this, but,... the big jug of "All makes, all models, mixes with all colors" stuff down at your local chain auto parts store has to mean something. If the stuff didn't work, they'd be on the hook for millions in damages. So that's what use.

Yeah, your owner's manual might say something different. But that's a point in time... it's valid for the products that were available at that time.


I somewhat agree. I consider the coolant manufacturer's reputation (and specs listed on the product) and research the vehicle being used in before going in this direction. To me, if the cooling system is in very good condition and has been flushed, the cost of doing it once every 3 or 4 years isn't bad.

My brother recently showed me some Warren coolant he bought from a local gas station for $8, but of course it's classic green stuff.
 
Walmart and auto-parts stores are mostly carry only Peak and/or Preston all makes-all models for the last 2-3 years. I used either Peak or Preston depended on when I need to flush my LS400 coolant which one was on sale. It has more than 270k miles now without problems.

On the other cars, I used only Zerex G-05 in my E430 and probably will use Peak Global in S2000 when I need to flush it.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
$25/gallon is cheap, you should see what the Euro stuff costs.

Motul Inugel concentrate (there are several varieties) is relatively cheap. That's what I went for.


I bought a litre (tiny bit more than a quart) of Audi purple coolant last week for $30.
 
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
I bought a litre (tiny bit more than a quart) of Audi purple coolant last week for $30.


So what do you use in your BMW and Honda?
 
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: CivicFan
I bought a litre (tiny bit more than a quart) of Audi purple coolant last week for $30.


So what do you use in your BMW and Honda?


BMW gets OEM blue, I don't remember how much I paid last year when I did my coolant replacement. It was cheaper than the Audi, for sure.

The Civic gets universal coolant bought from Walmart... The poor thing doesn't get as much attention as it should since it's a winter car.
 
Blue coolant sounds cool. I use the green stuff, usually Motomaster or prestone. Its fairly decently priced. I think around 8$ for 4L of concentrate not on sale. I am going to do a flush pretty soon and I think I want to get some more exotic stuff so I will get some prices from my neck of the woods soon.
 
I only use the manufacturer's recommended antifreeze and AT fluid.

In the past, when every engine was cast iron and every radiator was copper and no exotic materials were being used in automatic transmissions only a couple of types of antifreeze and AT fluid were needed.

Today, the picture very much different. If you're running a beater or don't plan on keeping a vehicle for very long, then using the cheapest antifreeze and AT fluid may make sense. But, if you're planning on keeping your vehicle for a long time, this may be false economy.

People say, "I've used this antifreeze or that AT fluid and it hasn't hurt my car." Really? How do you know? Have you drained and removed the radiator and examined the cooling coils? Have you pulled the heads and examined the cooling passages? And how long have you used the non-recommended antifreeze or AT fluid?

We are lucky because the auto and lubricant manufacturers have worked together to develop common motor oil standards. Unfortunately, the same is not true for antifreeze and AT fluid.
 
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